QCJA vs QMFE
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - January vs FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - February
Which is better, QCJA or QMFE?
QMFE has been ahead.
QMFE led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | QCJA | QMFE |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.90%Tie | 0.90%Tie |
| AUM | $75M | $44M |
| Dividend Yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Holdings | 10 | 10 |
| YTD Return | +8.70% | +12.25%Best |
| 1Y Return | +11.92% | +15.70%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 6.8%Best | 7.9% |
| Max Drawdown | -9.6%Best | -11.8% |
| $10,000 over 1.6 years | $11,986 | $12,473Best |
| Fund Family | First Trust Portfolios (US) | First Trust Portfolios (US) |
| Category | Alternative | Alternative |
| Style | Multi Alternative | Multi Alternative |
| Inception | Jan 17, 2025 | Feb 21, 2025 |
Not shown on this pair: 3Y Return (annualized), 5Y Return (annualized), Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown, and the $10,000 over 1.6 years row, are measured over the window both funds cover: Feb 24, 2025 to Oct 14, 2026 (1.6 years).
QCJA vs QMFE growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 1.6 years both funds cover.
QCJA vs QMFE Performance
FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Conservative Buffer ETF - January (QCJA) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US) and FT Vest Nasdaq-100 Moderate Buffer ETF - February (QMFE) is an ETF from First Trust Portfolios (US). Over the past year QCJA returned +11.92% while QMFE returned +15.70%. Year to date, QCJA is up 8.70% versus a gain of 12.25% for QMFE.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
QMFE has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 7.9% compared with 6.8% for QCJA. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -9.6% for QCJA and -11.8% for QMFE. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.98. They move almost in lockstep, so holding both mostly duplicates the same exposure.
Fees and Cost Over Time
QCJA charges 0.90% per year while QMFE charges 0.90%. On a $10,000 position that is $90 vs $90 annually. On income, QCJA currently yields 0.00% against 0.00% for QMFE.
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of QCJA and QMFE you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, QCJA or QMFE?
QCJA has an expense ratio of 0.90% while QMFE charges 0.90%. At the precision these are quoted to, they cost the same.
Which performed better, QCJA or QMFE?
Over the past year QCJA returned +11.92% vs +15.70% for QMFE, so QMFE leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (2 years), QCJA annualized +11.99% vs +14.81% for QMFE. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, QCJA or QMFE?
QMFE has been the more volatile fund at 7.9% annualized versus 6.8% for QCJA. Worst drawdown: QCJA -9.6% vs QMFE -11.8%.
Should I hold both QCJA and QMFE?
QCJA and QMFE have a monthly-return correlation of 0.98, so they move almost identically. What is left to separate them is the fee and the index each one tracks. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which pays a higher dividend, QCJA or QMFE?
QCJA yields 0.00% while QMFE yields 0.00%, so QMFE currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is QMFE better than QCJA?
QMFE led over 1Y and the full window. The two have moved almost in lockstep, correlation 0.98. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.